ARTIST: DEF LEPPARD
ALBUM: SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE
PRODUCED BY: RONAN MCHUGH
LABEL: BLUDGEON RIFFOLA/UNIVERSAL
RELEASE DATE: MAY 3RD 2008

Its been nearly 30 years since Def Leppard burst onto the NWOBHM scene with there debut “On Through The Night”. But in that time the band has endured changing musical scenes, car accidents and even death, to still take there place as rock roytalty. They have been one of a few to receive two diamond certifications for sales in excess of 10 million albums. They have always tried to remain current with ever release and now is no different, but with a small twist. Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is as there bio reads “an eclectic selection of material, an accurate reflection of the groups current state of mind”. It is like classic Def Leppard modernized for 2008.

Behind The Amps is proud to bring you a track by track review of Def Leppard’s “Songs From The Sparkle Lounge”

Track 1: Go (Collen/Elliot)
A heavy start to the new Def Leppard album, nice distorted bass sound, a very 70’s sounding song, the band definitely showing sounds reminiscent of there influences.

Track 2: Nine Lives (Collen/Elliot/Savage/McGraw)
The first single, which also features country star Tim McGraw. This is the perfect pick for first single, really catchy with a very Armageddon It like riff. Heaps of hooks in this single, but for my preference I would have had guitarist Phil Collen sing the parts Tim Mcgraw sings,  then it can be performed more faithfully live.

Track 3: Cmon Cmon (Savage)
This has been reported to be the second single from Sparkle Lounge. Again it has a very 70’s feel, which I really like, as im a huge fan of 70s music.. It’s a very simple song, which to be honest, Def Leppard, isn’t normally known for, but I think it suits them and is again another catchy song with some great hooks.

Track 4: Love (Savage)
The first ballad from the album, which shows what Def Leppard is most known for, thick backing vocals, which provide a massive wall of sound. It’s a very grand song, which reminds me a lot of Queen. It has that majesty to it, that you would expect from an Epic song. In saying that, I feel it is a little out of place on this album, but I’m sure fans of the Queen style epics will really dig into it.

Track 5: Tomorrow (Collen)
This would have to be my favorite song of the CD, and I think this song really shows what great songwriters Def Leppard are. This song is full of great riffs, a killer melody, and the signature back ground vocals. It’s a simple but to the point song, which will grow to be known as a classic im sure

Track 6:  Cruise Control (Campbell)
This song could have easily come of the Slang album, as it has that kind of vibe. That album in my opinion is one of the most underrated albums ever. This track rates highly for me, as I think that the band is getting back to a more stripped back rock mentality, which sometimes they have lost.

Track 7:  Hallucinate (Collen)
I really love this song, it has a really straight ahead rock feel, which I think too many bands don understand these days. They try and over think songs. This song comes in, makes the point, and gets the hell out of there. It could have fit on any of the older Def Leppard albums, as well as many from the 70’s too. I would have personally put it up the track order a little more

Track 8: Only The Good Die Young (Campbell)
I don’t think this song really suits the rest of the album. I think that is could have been left as a Bside. Im sure some will disagree, but it honestly does nothing for me, especially when compared to some off the other songs that are on the album.

Track 9: Bad Actress (Elliot)
This song needs to be released as a single. It has this great 70s hard rock vibe to it, so straight ahead, it just plows through like a steam roller. Some really phenomenal guitar work with the dual guitar solos. This song should be used as an example to all young bands on how to write a song.

Track 10: Come Undone (Elliot)
This song starts off with a really great guitar riff which sets the tone for the whole song. Im really happy to hear Def Leppard getting back to there classic songs, because that’s why I became a fan of them when I was younger. Great riffs, awesome melody and hooks, and the big chorus is what they are known for, this song is classic Def Leppard with a 2008 feel to it. Another awesome solo as well.

Track 11:  Gotta Let It Go (Campbell)
The closing track on Sparkle Lounge is one of the most interesting songs of the album. Again it has a vibe similar to the songs on the Slang album. It has really mellow verses, and a really cool catchy chorus, and the whole song has some cool dynamics through out it, which makes it a really cool way to finish off the album.

When I first got this CD I was worried about how it would sound. As I feel the last few Def Leppard releases have fallen short of the mark. But Songs From The Sparkle Lounge has put the band back up on the hard rock mantle. And I think that has a lot to do with the way the band chose to write the songs. They had a room set up back stage on the last tour called The Sparkle Lounge, where the band would get together to jam and write songs, and I feel that they have captured a vibe from there that they need to keep in mind for future albums. The songs were not over written and therefore not over produced, which gives the band that great straight ahead sound on this album. I really think they need to harness this idea and run with it.

8.5/10

BAND MEMBERS:
Rick Savage – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals, Additional Guitars
Joe Elliot – Vocals
Rick Allen – Drums, Backing Vocals
Phil Collen – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Vivian Campbell – Guitars, Backing Vocals

LINKS

http://www.defleppard.com

http://www.myspace.com/defleppard